Apparatus for shaping fastener elements



Dan 12, 1939. I E, J, TU TLE 2,1 3,373

APPARATUS FOR SHAPING FASTENER ELEMENTS Filed July 2, 1937 s Sheets-Sheet 1 f if T I W f; INVENTOR. g 3:. 1; 21m (410/71; 2 1% M ATTORNEY 5 Dec.- 12, 1939. 1:. J. TUTTLE 2,183,373

APPARATUS FOR SHAPING FASTENER ELEMENTS Filed July 2, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 1a 77 Z! i 57 /7 i5 4? 0 i o g I I 7/ n ,g y 3 4 27 a i Y /i 4; W4

4 2 i 1! 4 7 iii If v ATTORNEYS Dec. 12, 1939.

E. J. TUTTLE APPARATUS FOR I-IAFING FASTENER ELEMENTS Filed. July 2, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A2- 1 %f i INVENTOR. fflM/ffi J- 71/7715 ATTORNEYS I Patented Dec. 12,1939

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR SHAPING FASTENER ELEMENTS New Jersey Application July 2, 1937, Serial No. 151,625

10 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for fashioning fastener elements for attachment to fabric edges in slide fastener assemblies.

Fastener elements of this character are small 5 and have to be shaped very accurately. In general, they comprise diverging legs between which the fabric edge is attached and a head having a projection or knob on one side ofthe head, and a recess on the opposite side for the reception of an adjacent projection. Where such elements are punched out individually from flat sheets of metal, a considerable proportion of the area of the metal strips is scrapped.

In the present invention I provide an element 16 forming machine in which a preformed strip of rod or 'wire, having a general U shape, is cut to exact length, corresponding to the width of the fastener elements, and completely shaped in -a single machine. The machine operates continu- -20 ously and automatically.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a present preferred embodiment of my invention, in v which: 1

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view thereof, taken along the section line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the machine; I

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the strip feeding rollers;

Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, are detailed sectional views in elevation, showing the different movements of the cooperating punches;

Figs. 10 and 11 are detailed views in elevation of a kick-off mechanism;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view of a knife preparatory to engaging the rod; and

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view of a finished fastener element.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 12, and 13, my machine comprises a pair of feeding rollers I for advancing a strip 2 of wire or rod of general U type in cross section, as particularly shown in Fig. 12, into an opening 3 in a die block 4 so that 45 the end is in a position for engagement by a cutting edge ,5 of a reciprocating knife 6. The knife 6 removes an end or element blank from the rod 2 of the width of the fastener elements 1. The detached end of the rod 2 is moved by the knife 6 into alignment with an opening in a swedging die -8. A punch 9 removes the detached end from the knife into a through passage ll) of the swedg ing die 8 so that the knife 6 may be retreated.- The passage I has an interior configuration 55 conforming to the outer shape of the element 1,

A second punch ll moves into the passage Hi from the opposite direction and completes the shaping of the element 1. The punch II has a. projection l2 which cooperates with a socket l3 in the punch 9 to form a projection lug l and 6 a socket IE on each fastener element I. The punch H retreats and the punch 9 follows through to move the element 1 out of the opening III. A kick-oil. blade I] then removes the element and causes it to drop into a chute Ill. The punch 9 then retreats and the cycle of operations is repeated.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive, the operation of the knife 6 and the punches 9 and II is shown in detail. In Fig. 5 the knife 6 has delivered the end of the strip for forming the next element 1 in position opposite the opening ill in the die 8. In the cutting operation the knife 6 depresses the legs of the element from the cross sectional showing in Fig. 12 to the 30 dotted line position. The positioning of the element blank before the opening I0 is determined in part by an element stop l9.

In'Flg. 6 the punch 9 has advanced the element blank into the opening I 0 and the knife B has started to retreat. The punch II has started to enter the opening II). In Fig. 7 the punches 9 and I l are shown in their pressing or forming positions in the openings l0. At the same time the rod 2 has been advanced over the end of the knife 6 for the next cutting operation, the'end of the rod bearing against a structural surface of the bearing block for the die 8.

In Fig. 8 the punch II has retreated from the opening l0 and the punch 9 has advanced to po- 35 sition the element I beneath the kick-off blade l1.

'In Fig. 9 the kick-off blade i1 is shown removing the element 1 with the formed projection 15 from the end of the punch 9 and in position 40 to fall into a chute'l8.

Referring particularly to Figs. 10 and 11, the kick-off blade I! is provided with a beveled edge 29 which engages the edge of the element I and causes the latter to turn, as shown, about the socket l3 in the punch 9 thereby obviating any danger of mutilation of the projection I5"on the element 1. A direct blow from the kick-off blade I! might have a tendency to produce a marring or shearing effect on the, projection l5. 5

In detail, the machine comprises a base plate 2|, side plates 22 and 23, and the'die block 4 which serves as a cross plate between the side plates 22 and 23. These plates are secured together by any suitable means, as by welding or by screws, not shown. A shaft is mounted in the side plates 22 and 23 and extends outwardly therebeyond. A pulley 26 is connected to any.

usual prime mover by a belt 21.

The feeding rollers l, as illustrated in Fig. 4, are given complementary shapes to fit into the channel of the rod 2 and are mounted in a frame 28 secured to the rear of the frame by suitable means, not shown. The rollers are carried in upper and lower sets of bearings 29 and 38, respectively, the relative position of which may be slightly adjusted by a set screw 3| extending from the top of the frame 28 for engaging a cross bar 32 resting on .the bearings 29. The lower roller is mounted on a shaft 33, working against a brake 34, to She outer end of which is attached a gear 35. The gear 35 meshes with a gear 36 on the shaft 31 of the upper roller. The shaft 33 extends through a bearing block 38 projecting from the end of the side plate 22. A ball bearing clutch 39, illustrated in Fig. 3, is attached to the end of the shaft 33 and is connected by a rod 48 to an eccentric 4| on the shaft 25. Accordingly, with each revolution of theshaft 25 the clutch 38 is caused to actuate the shaft 33 to advance the rod 2 by the desired amount. Because of the relatively small movement required, it is preferred to use the type of clutch illustrated-rather than a conventional pawl and ratchet as the latter type of clutch occasionally has slippage by reason of failure of the teeth to properly register or mesh.

The knife 5 is adjustably mounted in a block 42 sliding in a vertical way 43. A clamping plate 44 is securedby screws 45 to hold the knife 6 against the block 42. When the position of the knife 6 is to be changed, the screws 45 are loosened. Further adjustment of the knife 6 is secured by having its lower end engage a sloping surface 46 in an adjusting bar 41 secured by a screw 48. By adjusting the screw 48 the bar 41 may be moved in or out to give the final adjustment of the position of the knife 6. I

The block 42 is actuated by a cam 48'worki'ng against compression springs 5|] seated in the block 4 and the block 42. Accordingly with each revo-' lution of the shaft 25 the knife 6 is raised and lowered once in accordance with the shape of through said die, a shaping die having a through the cam 49.

The punch 9 is mounted in a slide block 5| s1id-' ing in a way formed by plates 52 and 53 with overhanging plates 54 and 55, respectively, secured by bolts 56 to the top of the die block 4. The punch 8 is secured by a clamp block 51 and screws 58 to the slide block 5|. This position may be adjusted by a wedge 58 having a tapered end 60 and controlled by an adjusting screw 6|. The element stop I8 is secured by screws 62 to the plates 52 and 53, as is the die 8.

Reciprocation of the slide block 5| is controlled by a cam 63 mounted on a shaft 65 and engaging rollers 66 on the ends of the slide block 5|. The shaft 65 is secured to the tops of the plates 52 and 53 by bearings 61 and 68, respectively. The shaft 65 is actuated by a gear 59 meshing with a gear 10 which, in turn, meshes with a gear 1| mounted on the shaft 25. The various movements of the punch 9, as heretofore described, are controlled by the shape of the cams 63. The cams 83 operate against compression springs 12 and 13 bearing on arms 15 and 16 seated in recesses 11 and 18 in the plates 53 and 52, respectively.

The punch l is disposed in a slide block 19 mounted between the plates 53 and 52. As the slide blocks 5| and 19 are of similar construction and mounting. a detailed description of the construction'and mounting of the slide block 19 is omitted. The slide block 19 is actuated by a cam mounted on shaft 8| and secured by bearings 82 and 83 to the plates 52 and 53, respectively. The shaft 8| is driven by a gear 85 meshing with a gear 86 which, in turn, meshes with the gear 1| on the shaft 25.

The kick-off blade I1 is pivotally mounted on the end of a lever 81 which is pivotally mounted on a bearing 88 attached to the plate 52. The other end of the lever 81 is attached to a tension spring 89 which is secured to a bar 80 extending from the side plate 22. On the end of the shaft 8| there is a cam 8| which bears against the under side of the lever 81 actuating it against the tension of the spring 89. Accordingly, the kick-off blade |1 makes one reciprocation with each revolution of the shaft 8|.

Accordingly, I have provided a machine for feeding pre-shaped strips of rod or wire; cutting off the ends thereof to form blanks; positioning the several blanks in front of the forming die; transferring the blanks into the die; completing the shaping operation in the die; and discharging the shaped fastener elements. The machine is continuous and automatic in its operation.

'While I have shown and described a certain present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention may otherwise be embodied within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus describedmy invention what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A machine for making separable fastener elements comprising a cutting die, means for feeding a predetermined length of preformed wire through said die, means for cutting oi! the length of wire to form an element blank, a shaping die having a through shaping passage therein, means for conveying said blank into one end of said passage, means for finally shaping said blank into an element within said passage, and means for discharging said element from the opposite end of said passage.

2. A machine for making separable fastener elements comprising'a cutting die, means for feeding a predetermined length of preformed wire shaping passage therein, means for cutting off a length of wire to form an element blank and for conveying said blank to one end of said passage, a punch for conveying said blank into said passage, a second punch movable into said passage from the opposite end of said passage, and means for operating said punches so that said blank is pressed between the ends of said punches in said passage and thereby finally shaped into a fastener element, the operating means for the second punch having provision for withdrawing the punch from said shaping position, and the operating means for the first punch having provision for continuing the movement of the punch in the direction of the withdrawing movement of the second punch to discharge said element from said passage.

3. A machine for making separable fastener elements comprising a cutting die, means for ing said punches so that said blank is pressed between the ends of said punches in said passage and thereby finally shaped into a fastener element, the operating means for thesecond punch having provision for withdrawing the punch from said shaping position, the operating means for the first punch having provision for continuing the movement of the punch in the direction of the withdrawing movement of the second punch to discharge said element from said passage, and

1 means for discharging said element from between the ends of said punches.-

4. A machine for making separable fastener elements comprising "a cutting die, means for feeding a predetermined length of wire through said die, a knife carried by a slide for cutting'off the length of wire to form an element blank, a shaping die having a through passage therein, a cam for operating said slide and knife to form said blank and convey it to one end of said passage, a punch and a punch supporting slide at one end of said passage for conveying said blank into said passage, a second punch movable into said passage from the opposite end thereof, a supporting slide for the second punch, cams for operating said slides and punches so that said blank is pressed between the ends of said- --punches in said passage and thereby finally shaped into a fastener element, resilient means cooperating with said slides and cams for, withdrawing said slides, the second punch ,being withdrawn from the shaping position while the movement of the first punch is continued in the direction of the withdrawal movement of the second punch to discharge said element from said passage, said cams being positioned on suba stantially parallel shafts extending transversely to the feeding movement of said wire, and

means for driving said shafts in timed relation to one another.

5. A machine for making separable fastener elements comprising a cutting die, means for feeding'wire through said die, a stop for contacting the end of the wire to control the length of wire fed through said die, means for cuttingv off the length of wire fed through said die to form an element blank, a shaping die having a through passage therein, means for conveying said blank into one end of said passage, means for shaping said blank into an element -within said passage, and means for discharging said element from the opposite end of said passage.

6. A machine for making separable fastener elements each having a head and laterally extending jaw portions, said machine comprising a cutting die having an 'oriflce provided with a head and jaw portions conforming substantially to the shape of the, heads and jaws of said elements, means for feeding a predetermined length of wire having element head and jaw forming portions through said orifice, ashaping die hav-v ing a through shaping passage therein, a knife having a cutting edge conforming to the outer contour of the element head'and jaw forming portions of'the wire, means for operating said knife cutting'edge against said length of wire from the element head to the element jaw forming said recess.

ing portions to cut an element blank therefrom and carry it opposite one end of said shaping passage,'means for conveying said blank into' said passage, means for shaping said blank into anelement within said passage, and means for discharging said element from the opposite endof said shaping passage.

'7. A machine for making separable fastener elements comprising a cutting. die, means for feeding a predetermined length of preformed wire through said die, a shaping die having a through shaping passage therein, means for cutting off a length of wire to form an element blank and for conveying said blank to one end of said passage, a punch for conveying said Y blank into said passage, a second punch movable into said passage from the opposite end of said passage, said punches having provision for forming a socket on one face of the element and a projection on the opposite face, and means for operating said punches so that said "blank is die having a through passage, a punch having an element projection shaping recess at one end for moving an element through said passage, a

cooperating punch for forming a fastener element in thepassage, and means disposed at the discharge end and laterally of the passage and movable into the projection of the passage'for removing the element from the punch recess.

9. In a fastener forming machine, a shaping die having a through passage, a punch having an element projection shaping recess at one end for moving an element through said passage, a

cooperating punch for forming a fastener element in the passage, a tapered blade disposed at thedischarge end and laterally of the passage,

and means for moving said blade transversely of said passage into contact with the element, and

thereby turning the element. projection in said recess and removing the element from the end of said punch eontainingsaid recess.

v10. In a fastener forming machine, a shaping die having a through passage, a punch having an element projection shaping recess at one end for moving an element through said passage, acooperating punch for forming a fastener element in the passage, a tapered blade disposed at the discharge end and laterally of the passage,- and means for actuating the punches and blade v in synchronism, including means for actuating said blade transverselyof said passage into contactwith the element, and thereby turning the element projection in said recess and removing the element from the end of said punch contain- EDWARD J. 

